Muckross House, Gardens & Traditional Farm

Kerry, Ireland

Killarney in Ireland is a great location for doing a number of great walks in the Killarney National Park. One relatively easy but highly rewarding walk is around Muckross Lake. Starting from Muckross House at the edge of Killarney National Park just outside Killarney, this is a circular walk of around 12-13km around Muckross Lake.
The walk is on a good path and is well marked taking in some wonderful wooded areas with great views over Muckross Lake. It is relatively flat so is easily managed by all levels of walkers.
Once you reach the bottom end of Muckross Lake you cross a bridge giving you great views of the two lakes, Muckross lake and Lough Leane. Here you may see a few boat tours passing under the bridge to go between the two bodies of water.
The Meeting of the Waters is where Killarney’s famous lakes converge. The Upper lake, Middle Lake (also known as Muckross Lake) and Lower Lake (Lough Leane) all come together at this beautiful spot. It is a little haven of tranquility and is a great spot to stop for a rest. At Dinis Cottage you can have some tea and refreshments. Dinis Cottage on Dinis Island in Killarney National Park looks out over the Middle Lake and was built by the Herberts who at one time owned the lands that are now part of Killarney National Park . The cottage has been described as a hunting lodge and a woodcutter’s hut and dates back to the 1700s. The Old Weir Bridge and the Meeting of the Waters are within walking distance of the cottage.
The Old Wier Bridge is closeby to the Meeting of The Waters and Dinis Cottage and is worth a walk to.
The walk back north along the eastern shore of Muckross Lake passes through areas with some wonderful Rhododendrons plants.
Eventually you will reach the grounds of Muckross House from where you started out this walk. Here you will see the many jaunting cars taking tourists on a horse and carraige trip round the gardens of the house.